The National tribune., 1887-04-14
THE FIRST CORPS.
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men were protected by stone fences. Col.
Ely, who was sent at the same time to re-
connoiter the road to Front Royal, had a
brisk skirmish with the advance of Ewell,
and falling back to Winchester, took posi-
tion at the junction of the Front Royal and
Strasburg roads.
AT daylight on the 18th Early attacked
the works on the north and west of the
town, while Johnson demonstrated against
the east and southeast. The struggle con-
tinued with varying results until night
From prisoner captured on the 18th Milroy
learned that he was confronted by Ewelfs
Corps, and that Longstreet was rapidly adj
vancing. Having CALAMITY defended his
position for nearly two days against greatly
superior force, and finding himself at mid
night on the 18th with only one days "a
tons for his men and his artillery ammu-
milton nearly exhausted, he determined to
ABANDON THE PLACE.
Cutting down his wagons, spiking his
guns, and throwing the ammunition into
wells, he started at 2 o'clock in the morning
to cut his way through the enemy's lines.
He succeeded in getting quietly away and
had proceeded about four miles when the
advance, commanded by Gen. Elliott, a vet
eran of the Regular service, encountered
heavy force of artillery and infantry,
strongly posted across the road Elliott i'm
mediately attacked and succeeded in driving
of the right, but could make no impression
on the left, which Gen. johnson, the rebel
commander, had strongly reinforced. Know
ing that his retreat from Winchester had
been discovered, and that he would soon be
assailed in rear, Alilroy now ordered his men
to fall back a short distance and take road
leading to the right. A part of his COM
mand installing the orders took the first
road to the left. The force being thus hope
lessly divided, one portion made its way to
Harper's Ferry, and the other crossed the
Potomac ut Hancock.
Milroy claimed TO have brought off 5000
men, bat as he was obliged to fOrsake his
sick and wounded, his loss from all causes
was very heavy. The rebel General claimed
the capture of 1000 prisoners. This, of
course, includes the sick and wounded nee
essarily abandoned in Winchester.
As soon as Hooker learned that Lee had
concentrated large force at Culpeper, with
Ewell's Corps moving toward the Shenan-
doah Valley, and having been ordered to re-
linquish his plan of marching on Richmond,
he broke camp on the night of the 18th and
moved his army up the Rappahannoek, and
in the direction of the Alexandria and
Orange Railroad. On the 18th Gen. A. p.
Hill moved from Fredericksburg, and on the
18th LOngstreet started from Culpeper, keep
ing at first east of the Blue Ridge, but
afterward passing through the gaps and
FOLLOWING HILLS CORPS TO THE Po-
ToMAc.
Stuart's cavalry, which had been thrown
out on the right to watch Hookers move
ments, was attacked by Pleasonton's COM
mand, and after series of hard fought bat
ties at Aldie, Middleburg and Upperville,
retreated to the west of the Blue Ridge
through Ashby's Gap.
Hill and Longstreet crossed the Potomac
on the oath and 25th, and marched toward
Chambersburg and Fayetteville. Ewell had
previously been ordered TO take possession of
Harrisburg, Rodes and JOhnsOn's Divisions
marching by way ofChambersbnrgtoC Carlisle,
and Early by the way of Gettysburg to York
These columns raided the country through
which they passed, and levied contributions
on the towns.
The Army Of the Potomac crossed the
river ut Edwards's Ferry on the 25th and
26th Of June, and on the 9th Gen. Reynolds,
with his command, consisting of the First,
Third and Eleventh Corps, occupied Middle
town and the passes of South Mountain.
The Twelfth Corps was ordered to Harper's
Ferry, where il was TO be joined by the
troops at Maryland flights, to operate on
the enemy's rear in conjunction with the
forces commanded by Gen. Reynolds The
translator Of JOmini refused the use of the
troops on the nights, objeeting to their re-
moval from that position, although entirely
useless there for any practical purpose.
Hooker finding himself thus bampered in
his movements of troops, Indignantly, but
foolishly, sent the following dispatch to the
General-in-C Chief, asking to be
RELIEVED FROM THE COMMAND.
SANDY Hook. June 81 1863
MAJ.-GEN III. w. HAILECR, General-in Chief
My original instructions require me to cover
Harper's Ferry and Washington. have i'm
posed upon me in addition enemy in my front
OF more than my numbers beg to be understood
respectfully but firmly. that am not able to COM
ply with that condition with the means ut my
disposal, and earnestly request that may at
be relieved from the position occupy.
JOSEPH HOOKER, Major General.
AT o'clock in the morning of the 2Sth,